Violence breaks out in Brazil after dancer killed
Gunshots are fired in Rio de Janeiro’s tourist hotspot of Copacabana as residents demonstrate against the death of a 26-year-old man from the area.
Rubbish was burned and widespread vandalism was reported after residents near Copacabana spilled into the streets after they learned of the death of Douglas Rafael da Silva Pereira, a dancer with family in the community.
Da Silva Pereira’s friends blamed his death on police who they say mistook him for a drug trafficker.
A police operation in the area the previous night ended with shots fired Monday, but police said there were no deaths.
‘Beaten to death’
Da Silva Pereira’s body was found Tuesday morning in a day-care centre where it is believed he sought to hide. Witnesses said it appeared he was beaten to death.
The unrest in the streets closed several major avenues running through Copacabana and also the main drag connecting it to Ipanema.
Both neighbourhoods are expected to host tens of thousands of visitors as the World Cup gets underway in Brazil in just 50 days.
Residents from the hillside community said it was not safe for them to return to their homes. Another man was reported dead from a gunshot wound during Tuesday night’s disorder.
Another man was reported dead from a gunshot wound during Tuesday night’s disorder. Police said da Silva Pereira’s death was being investigated.